Speaking with relatives about family history, I am often told to keep this piece of information between you, me and the gate post. Respecting sensibilities, I will share my family stories entwine with historical events from Copiah, Jefferson and Lincoln Counties, Mississippi, from gate post to gate post.

Paul and Amanda Rudd celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary with their 12 children. Two additional children were members of the family; Paul, Jr., who died at 15 years of age in 1941, and an unnamed female child who died shortly after birth in 1943. The family lived in Chicago.

Paul was the son of William and Ella Hamilton Rudd. He was born about 1899 in Hinds County, MS. Amanda was the daughter of Pink Jack Brandon and Mary Brown Overton. She was born about 1905 in Copiah County, MS.

Photograph courtesy of Alesa Benson, granddaughter of Paul and Amanda.Amanda was the niece of my maternal grandmother, Gertrude Overton Durr.

Grandbundle's Corner

About Me

A member of the sandwich generation taking care of an adult daughter and mother, both with brain disorders. I love genealogy and consider myself a community researcher. Researching the communities of Caseyville, Hazlehurst and Union Church, Mississippi, and wherever else we rooted.

Winter Bare

Mother to Son

Well, son, I'll tell you:Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.Its had tacks in it,And splinters,And boards torn up,And places with no carpet on the floor---Bare.But all the timeI'se been a-climbin' on,And reachin' landin's,And turnin' cornersAnd sometimes goin' in the darkWhere there ain't been no light.So boy, don't you turn back.Don't you set down on the steps"Cause you finds it's kinder hard.Don't you fall now---For I'se still goin', honey,I'se still climbin',And life for me ain't been no crystal stair